Compartmentalized container

Abstract

A tabless container closure for a compartmentalized container with a cover and a base. The cover includes a sidewall and a rim coupled thereto. The rim has a depression that fits within an opening in a sidewall of the base. The rim depression and opening provide a snap-fit closure to releasably connect the cover and base. In a second aspect, the compartments of the container are closed off from one another such that the contents of a given compartment substantially remain therein, even after a perturbation of the container. In a third aspect, a divider separating the compartments is bowed to enhance the structural integrity of the base.

We claim: 
     
       1. A compartmentalized container, comprising: a base comprising at least two compartments; and   means for covering the base such that when at least one compartment of the at least two compartments has content, the content is substantially retained within the at least one compartment during a perturbation of the container, wherein the means for covering includes a plurality of raised areas inward and separated from a periphery of the covering means for pressing the covering means down onto the base to seal the compartmentalized container, each raised area having a roughened surface.   
     
     
       2. A compartmentalized container, comprising: a base comprising at least two compartments; and   means for covering the base such that when at least one compartment of the at least two compartments has content, the content is substantially retained within the at least one compartment during a perturbation of the container, wherein one of the base and covering means includes a first sidewall having an outwardly extending rim coupled thereto at a periphery thereof, the outwardly extending rim including a vertical indentation therein, and the other of the base and the covering means including a second sidewall having a fixed opening therein for receiving the vertical indentation, wherein the covering means and the base are releasably connected when the opening receives the vertical indentation.   
     
     
       3. The container of claim 2, wherein the vertical indentation includes an angled extension. 
     
     
       4. The container of claim 2, wherein the one of the covering means and the base further includes a lifting extension. 
     
     
       5. The container of claim 2, wherein the covering means comprises the outwardly extending rim, and wherein the vertical indentation comprises a depression of the outwardly extending rim. 
     
     
       6. The container of claim 2, wherein the one of the base and covering means further comprises a channel connecting the first sidewall and the outwardly extending rim. 
     
     
       7. The container of claim 6, wherein the other of the base and covering means further includes a rim extending outward from the second sidewall at a periphery thereof, and wherein a non-indentation portion of the outwardly extending rim of the one of the base and covering means rests above the rim of the base when the opening receives the vertical indentation. 
     
     
       8. A compartmentalized container, comprising: a base comprising at least two compartments; and   means for covering the base such that when at least one compartment of the at least two compartments has content, the content is substantially retained within the at least one compartment during a perturbation of the container, wherein one of the base and covering means includes a first sidewall having an outwardly extending rim coupled thereto at a periphery thereof, the outwardly extending rim including an indentation therein, and the other of the base and the covering means including a second sidewall having a fixed opening therein for receiving the indentation, wherein the covering means and the base are releasably connected when the opening receives the indentation, and wherein the covering means comprises the outwardly extending rim, and wherein the indentation takes the form of a depression of the outwardly extending rim, wherein the cover further comprises a channel connecting the first sidewall and the outwardly extending rim.   
     
     
       9. The container of claim 8, wherein the base further includes a rim extending outward from the second sidewall at a periphery thereof, and wherein a non-indentation portion of the outwardly extending rim of the cover rests above the rim of the base when the opening receives the indentation.